Unai Emery was measured and respectful in his post-match evaluation after Aston Villa secured a commanding , candidly admitting his facet have been second finest for lengthy intervals of the primary half whereas defending the state of Italian soccer towards what he thought of an unfair narrative.
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The Villa supervisor made no try and overstate his facet’s dominance, acknowledging that the scoreline at half-time considerably flattered the guests.
“Bologna did higher within the first half, we have been too timid, sat too deep and tried a variety of lengthy balls to search out Watkins with out getting the sport the place we needed,” he instructed .
“On the identical time, we allowed Bologna only a few photographs heading in the right direction. The end result was good at half-time even when we felt we didn’t significantly should be in that place.”
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The second half, nevertheless, was a distinct story.
“It went a lot better after the restart, we have been looser, extra fluid and managed to attain two extra objectives,” Emery mentioned.
BIRMINGHAM, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 25: Unai Emery, Supervisor of Aston Villa, gestures from the sidelines throughout the UEFA Europa League 2025/26 League Section MD1 match between Aston Villa FC and Bologna FC 1909 at Villa Park on September 25, 2025 in Birmingham, England. (Photograph by Justin Setterfield/Getty Photos)
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Emery: ‘No disaster in Italy, the golf equipment are excellent’
He was fast to warning towards complacency forward of subsequent week’s second leg at Villa Park, nevertheless.
“We should not relaxation on our laurels. We’ve seen Bologna overturn large outcomes earlier than and might take nothing as a right. They’re excellent on their travels and now we have the utmost respect.”
Requested concerning the wider disaster engulfing Italian soccer following the World Cup elimination, Emery pushed again firmly.
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“I don’t agree there are issues,” he mentioned.
“Lately Inter performed two Champions League finals, Atalanta received it, Fiorentina and Roma performed Convention League finals and received one. It’s true Italy didn’t qualify for the World Cup, however their golf equipment are excellent, Napoli, Roma, Inter, Milan, Atalanta, Juventus, Bologna. I’ve the utmost respect for Italian soccer. I additionally realized an incredible deal from Italian coaches like Gasperini and his 3-5-2, the identical system that allowed Inter to have such success.”
Emery additionally addressed the topic of Donyell Malen, the Roma ahead who left Villa Park in January and has since impressed in Serie A.
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“It was settlement for him and for us,” Emery defined.
“He needed to play as a centre-forward however we had Watkins, so there wasn’t a lot enjoying time out there. I needed to maintain him, however he had this chance at Roma. I’m happy he’s doing nicely, I feel he can have an incredible profession there.”